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Pennsylvania Western University

Pennsylvania Western University

California, PA · Town · 7,451 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$18,256
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
51%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$47,295
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
94%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Located along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Western University at California (PennWest California) is well known for its career-focused education, featuring standout programs in exercise science, education, criminal justice, and applied engineering and robotics technology. The campus culture offers an energetic, close-knit environment highlighted by competitive NCAA Division II Vulcan athletics, active student organizations, and outdoor recreation at the university's 98-acre SAI Farm. A distinctive hallmark of the institution is its heavy emphasis on hands-on, applied learning supported by specialized facilities like the Center for Innovation, providing students with practical workforce experience before graduation.

Wikipedia:Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) is a public university in Pennsylvania, United States. It has three campuses in the Pennsylvania boroughs of California, Clarion, and Edinboro.

Location
California, PA, 15419 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PIT · Pittsburgh
35 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$11,436$16,054
Housing & food (on campus)$12,690$12,690
Books & supplies$1,260$1,260
Cost of attendance$26,916$33,576
Average net price$18,256Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$16,054
In-state: $11,436
Housing & food (on campus)$12,690
Books & supplies$1,260
Cost of attendance$33,576
In-state: $26,916
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $18,256
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.pennwest.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state
Tuition$11,574
Fees$4,224
Housing$8,100
Food$4,790
Books & supplies$1,260
Personal expenses$2,280
Transportation$1,290
Total published by the school$33,576
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$13,944
$30–48k
$14,171
$48–75k
$16,517
$75–110k
$20,633
$110k+
$23,272
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
51%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
38%
Back for yr 2
72%
Transferred
21%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
50% graduated · 25% transferred · 24% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$38,474
10 yrs after entry$47,295
Debt
Median at graduation$23,725
Monthly payment$252
Middle 50% owe$8.3k–$27k
90th percentile$33,723
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
94%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1063
R 480–580 · M 460–560
SAT middle 50%: 940–1140
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Pennsylvania Western University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
18 : 1
Pell grant
38%
First-gen
37%
Family income
$46,425
Independent
31%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
13%
Race & ethnicity
White
71%
Hispanic
4%
Black
8%
Asian
1%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
10%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$38,474
After 10 yrs
$47,295
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing210
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities149
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness144
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods134
Criminal Justice and Corrections118
Business Administration, Management and Operations118
Fine and Studio Arts91
Psychology, General77
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services75
Biology, General58
Social Sciences, General55
Research and Experimental Psychology51
English Language and Literature, General46
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions46
Computer and Information Sciences, General45
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General44
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$123M
Full-time faculty
81%
Faculty salary
$11,870/mo
Teaching spend
$11,506
per student
Federal loans
60%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)

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